The Week . . . So Far 8/21/2012

WE HAVE A WINNER!  She is Renita Dompier!  Please see end of this post for this week’s Mystery Spot answer.

The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island must employ a “think tank” full of fun folks to come up with new and exciting ideas and events.  You just never know what might be happening next at the historic hotel, and this week – with no fanfare at all – they began what has to be the most fun idea of the summer for their guests . . .

. . . . movies on the lawn! When the sun set on Saturday and Sunday evening, folks brought out towels and blankets and settled on the grass below the Grand for a family movie on a giant screen. What a “grand” idea! Don’t know if this is going to be an on-going weekend thing or not, but it sure was a hit!

The Grand is always thinking ahead, and according to a recent Matt Mikus article in the Town Crier, future plans may include:  1)  expansion of the exercise and spa facilities;  2) two hotel rooms expanded into family-style suites; and 3) an ice cream parlor where Margaret’s Garden Shop now stands (Margaret’s would move inside so guests could watch florists at work).  The ice cream parlor would offer such goodies as banana splits, malts, ice cream, AND Jersey muds!  Ted is ecstatic!  In all changes, the historical character of the hotel will be maintained, and one thing that will never change is the requirement of coat & tie for gentlemen and proper dress for ladies in the hotel and dining room after 6:30 p.m.  The Grand Hotel now owns four restaurants on the Island, and the option of casual dining is available at each of these off-site dining facilities – the Jockey Club, Woods, the Gate House,and Cawthorne’s Village Inn.

Monday was a busy day at the Stuart House.  Nearly 60 folks visited the museum during by 10-2 shift, and some of those folks were Bree’s Blog readers!

Ok, ok. Sophie doesn’t read the blog, but she sure was cute! Here she is showing off her new collar from Ella & Ivy!  She and Ella had fun playing while mom shopped.

Sophie’s mom Kathy IS a blog fan!  (Good grief, I lost the paper I wrote everything down on – but I believe Kathy’s husband was George and their two children were Ally and Anthony).  The family was staying at the dog-friendly Park Place Suites on Market Street.

Another blog-reading couple stopped by that morning – Karen and Neil from Fort Gratiot, MI. Jill was going to take the photo, but professional photographer Steven Blair, whose studio and gallery is just across from the Stuart House, saw us posing and walked over to get us all in the shot. Thanks, Steven! Karen and Neil stayed their first night at the Island House and were moving over to the Lake View Hotel the next night, when children and grandchildren were arriving.

Speaking of Steven, when I got off work, I walked over to check out the little garden he’s planted behind his studio. Would you believe those are tomato plants!? He’s growing four types of tomatoes and a few squash and pumpkins in that tiny space – all organic. I have never seen tomato vines that high, and yes, he promised to share when they got ripe!

We have zinnias in our condo flower beds this summer! Love them!

Incredible sunset on Sunday evening. (Photo: Mission Point Resort).

Reader Photographs

Fran from Florida.
Sunrise flag-raising on the Arnold Dock.
Fran spent a day this month on the Island with her two boys. They arrived early, when the downtown area was quiet, and then spent the day hiking in the middle of the Island.

Jean Lenard – Powell, Ohio
Lamp post and gardens at the Iroquois Hotel – in July.

Shannon Hoorn – Grand Rapids, MI
First weekend in August, 2012.
Mackinac Island from her son Nick’s perspective at Fort Mackinac.

Dave Crans – Canfield, Ohio
Dave was on the Island for five days recently and was lucky enough to be here on the evening of August 10 when that unbelievably beautiful rainbow appeared.

Personal Note:  There’s a very good possibility Ted and I are going to be out very late on Thursday evening (dinner and party at Woods Restaurant following golf tournament Ted is playing in).  If Friday’s blog isn’t posted before we leave for dinner, I’ll publish it sometime during the day on Friday.  See you then!

Mystery Spot Contest

The object of the Mystery Spot is to be the first to identify where the object is located. When you think you have the answer, email me at brendasumnerhorton@hotmail.com. I’ll check my email several times a day, and as soon as we have a winner, I’ll post the winner’s name at the top of this blog so you can stop guessing (you may have to refresh your page for this to show up). Is there a prize for the winner?  Yes there is; but the prize is secret, and the only ones who will know what it is are the winners. To be fair, I’m asking residents of Mackinac Island to please NOT guess. This is just for readers who don’t live here . . . but would like to! And the Mystery Spot is   . . . .

Where is it? Hint: This is NOT at Turtle Park.

Again, please email your answers to me at brendasumnerhorton@hotmail.com.  PLEASE DO NOT ANSWER IN THE “COMMENTS” SECTION OF THE BLOG.  Remember, I’ll post the winner at the top of this blog as soon as someone gives the correct answer.

Mystery Spot Answer

This week’s Mystery Spot was the chimney of the Michigan Governor’s Summer Residence located at the top of Fort Hill.